Shirley housing and public land
Shirley is located about ten miles south of Charing Cross and is part of the London Borough of Croydon.
As Croydon has grown, so Shirley has grown with it. Until seventy years ago the area was almost entirely fields, with just a few local landmarks such as the parish church dotting the landscape.
However, Shirley was to face inevitable change as the 1930s housing boom transformed the face of southern England. Large numbers of properties, mainly semi-detached, were built on Shirely's open fields to accommodate Croydon's growing population.
But it was in the 1950s that the area underwent its most dramatic change when work began on the Shrublands estate. The large estate on the outskirts of Shirley has a number of its own facilities, and all the houses have gardens with lots of grassy communal areas between the homes.
Despite the rapid development, Shirley has retained more open space than other areas of Croydon, and its windmill, the only one in the region, is a distinct reminder of its rural past.
The mill was awarded Grade II listed status in 1951 and received a Lottery grant to fund restoration work in 1996.
Property in Shirely
Shirley semis
Shirley’s relatively rapid growth in recent decades means it is now something of a mixing pot, with luxury homes rubbing shoulders with affordable housing schemes.
Those looking at the upper end of the market will be attracted by the more rural areas of Shirley Church Road and Bishops Walk where the five-bedroom detached homes range from the 18th century to modern-build.
More affordable housing can be found at the ever popular Shirley Oaks Village development which offers a range of modern apartments and houses to suit most budgets.
The Shrublands Estate also has a good selection of purpose-built flats, houses and maisonettes.
Semi-detached properties in various styles and sizes are also readily available in Shirley.
Living Here
Transport:
Shirley Library
Train: Regular direct trains run from East Croydon station to London Victoria, with a journey time of around 20 minutes.
Tram: Connections to the Croydon Tramlink service are available at Sandilands and Addiscombe tram stops, both about one mile from central Shirley.
Bus: The frequent 367 bus route runs between Shirley and East Croydon station.
There is also a regular 119 service between Shirley, Croydon and Bromley.
Road: It should be a five minute drive into central Croydon, although peak-time congestion can make journey times wildly unpredictable.
The M25 is reached via the A23 through Purley and Hooley. Although the Coulsdon Bypass, opened in 2006, has speeded up this route, delays are still common at Purley Cross.
Local Facilities:
Miller's Pond, Shirley
Shirley has a number of small, independent traders, including a pharmacy and an electrical store in Shirley Road, and a garden centre. There is also a Tesco Express on Shirley Road.
The Shrublands estate has a doctor's surgery, a family centre, a pub, a ball park, and the Shirley Youth Centre.
Shirley is home to one of the borough’s most prestigious golf clubs, Shirley Park, which was constructed in 1913.
At only a mile and a half from the heart of Shirley into the centre of Croydon, locals tend to make use of the excellent shopping, entertainment and leisure facilities available there.
Schools in the area include Shirley High, which has been designated a specialist school focusing on the performing arts.
Trinity School is an independent day school for boys aged 10 to 18, with a strong track record in sport and music.
Ashburton Community School, just over the border in Woodside, is a comprehensive with 1,200 pupils.
Produced in association with Northcliffe newspapers.